ASSESSMENT OF EXPERIMENT WITH ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-01004R000200070017-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 10, 2005
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: June 24, 1981
• Content Type: MF

Approved For..F~elease Zvo06/2iP8i~-a&000200070017-8
MEMORANDUM FOR: Office of Personnel/Position Management and
Compensation Division (OP/PMCD)
Chief, Latin America Division
Office of Political Analysis
Chief, Regional and Special Projects Branch
OPA/LA
SUBJECT : Assessment of Experiment with Alternate Work Schedules
A. The Regional and Special Projects Branch of the Latin America
Division, Office of Political Analysis, has experimented with one form
of Alternate Work Schedule (the four-day week) for 14 months. The small
scale of participation make hard conclusions impossible, but the loss of
real work time (as opposed to clock time) and the loss of research assist-
ance to all branch analysts one day per week probably have marginally
reduced productivity. This has been offset somewhat--though not com-
pletely--by improved morale among the participants.
1. During the 14-month period, three analysts (two GS-14, one GS-13)
and one research assistant (GS-06) out of a total complement of
five to seven persons participated for varying periods of time (the
GS-14 analysts for three months each, the GS-13 analyst for 10
months, the research assistant for 14 months). At present only the
research assistant continues to participate--the two GS-14 analysts
were reassigned to other components in the division and their
replacements have not elected to participate, and the GS-13 analyst
assumed new responsibilities within the branch that precluded
continuing participation.
2. Prior to participation in the experimental work schedule, all
personnel in the branch worked a standard (8:00 AM-4:30 PM) five-
day week.
3. The primary mission of the branch is production of medium to long
range finished intelligence on Latin America.
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 Approved For$ele ~ ~1 ~CfA- ~ ~'1 biOOO70017-8
SUBJECT: Assessment of Experiment with Alternate Work Schedules
B. The experimental schedule had no discernible impact on usage of
leave (b.), employee turnover (c.), or job satisfaction (e.). The four-day
week schedule had a noticeably positive effect on the morale (f.) of all
those participating. Productivity (a.), at least on the part of the GS-13
analyst, one GS-14 analyst, and the research assistant, was probably
marginally lowered. This could be attributed to the loss of real work
time (as opposed to clock time). In addition, all branch analysts have
been without research assistance one day each week. The loss of real work
time also probably contributed to an increase in the number of (d.) over-
time hours (without compensation, however) worked by the GS-13 analyst;
other participants were not obliged to work any overtime. There were no
noticeable effects on "mass transit facilities and traffic," "increased
opportunities for full and part-time employment," or "individual and
families generally" that could reasonably be attributed to alternate work
schedules.
C. No special problems were encountered.
D. No suggestions are submitted.
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